SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) - The American Film Institute's Silverdocs documentary film festival is beginning in Silver Spring.

Continue reading

The film festival begins Monday at the Silver Theater and Cultural Center and lasts through Sunday. The festival, now in its ninth year, includes 108 films representing 52 countries. More than 2,000 films were submitted.

Also going on at the same time is a documentary conference for filmmakers, educators, broadcasters and others. Over 1,200 industry professionals are expected to participate in panels and workshops. This year's conference is geared to the mid-career filmmaker.